How much do you pay for food in a month?

[nogardsram]

I was wondering how much people pay for food in a month?

Currently my wife and I spend about $300 USD together (so $150 each). We're working on getting it lower (we had it lower, but started buying some more convenience foods).

Here's an online calculator for converting currencies. (http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html)

ETA: I also mean not just at the grocery store, but also eating out. Anytime we eat out (which is a couple times a year) it comes out of our allotment of $300. This isn't an estimation for us though, since at the beginning of each month we take out $300 cash and that's what we have for food.

[guinnesshero]

The first time my wife and I went shopping after going veg we made the mistake of buying a bunch of the Amys vegan food and such and ended up paying $200 USD( we shop every 2 weeks so doubling that would be 400) wich for us is alot. We got home and realised we dont need all that crap and learned our lesson. Now its lower around $100 to $150 max every two weeks.

[Music Girl]

I spend 1120.00 per month on groceries and another 300.00 eating out.
This is for a family of four.

I know it's disgraceful, but I always end up running out of grocery money, so I can honestly say that it takes every dime of this to feed us. And we don't shovel down food like hogs, either. We just like gourmet-ish food. And I shop at a "regular" store, not a fancy place like Whole Foods (although some recipes do require a trip there now and then.)

This amount does cover things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, the occasional doggy treat, and a couple of bottles of wine per week, however. Not *just* food.

[nogardsram]

Oh that's a good point Music Girl. That budget includes TP, laundry detergent, contact solution, soap, etc.

You don't have to say it's disgraceful. :) I was just curious as to what other people were spending. I've read a number of times about how cheap veg*nism is and I was wondering an idea what people spend.

[pkk]

About 150 dollars a month for 2 people.

[Isabelle]

Around $450 USD for 2 people, 1 dog and 4 cats. :p

[Music Girl]

I guess I say "disgraceful" because I am often hard on myself for not being a frugal enough person. I'm generally a bit too "spendy," not just on food, but other stuff, too.

Whenever I talk to anyone about our grocery budget, their jaw drops and they inevitably ask why on earth we don't weight 400 pounds a piece. : ) It's a conversation I don't like to get into with my omni friends because it makes veganism look expensive when it really doesn't have to be.

[CatLadyVT]

For two people, I spend about 500 USD a month, which includes non-food items as mentioned above. We don't eat out very often. Once in a while, one of us might grab a premade sandwich for lunch, but going to restaurants is something we can't really afford.

Now, if we included food and supplies for the furry feline children, it would jump to about 620 USD per month. They say Vermont is one of the most expensive US states to live in. Haven't seen the actual statistics though.

[Sprout726]

I have no idea and I rather keep it that way! :sealed:

I only buy for myself and I try to be frugal, but the amount would probably knock me over.

[smedley]

including non-fod items like tp and toothpaste, dishsoap, etc., for a family of 4 that eats 75% organic i spend about $300/month.

[Sprout726]

I wish I had the funds to buy organic/all natural. I do what I can, but being a poor college student in a smaller town, I am almost forced to shop at Wal-Mart. Yuck. :(

[evelinadatta]

For two people: around $350 per month on groceries (including those other items such as TP, detergent, etc) and that includes about 50-75% organic groceries. We shop at My Organic Market (MOM) which I like so much better than Whole Foods and is definitely cheaper too. We also go to a local farmer's market once a week for veggies & fruit. In addition, we probably spend about $200 per month on eating out, but that's mostly because we go out for dinners on weekend nights and mix those with cocktails. We live in a large metropolitan area in the US (I know the geographic location can also make a big difference).

[Angelwing]

I haven't really been keeping track but I imagine I spend around $60 CDN or so per month for myself.

[Qwerks]

I dunno. Probably about $300 or so, for just me. I like wine.

[karenlovessnow]

I don't know because if I would have to break down my grocery bill since I buy things other than food. Maybe I'll make it a little project. I'll save my receipts from next month to see just how much goes toward "food". I bet it's an easy $500...if I had to guess.

[Marineluvr26]

I have no idea. I think for 3 people and a picky cat $200 sounds about right for food and non food items in a month. As for eating out, I have no idea. I eat at work, which generally costs between 80 cents to $4 and then we'll eat out together once a month for $20-25.

[Kiz]

I spend a hell load of food, no idea how much, but I like it that way. I genuinely enjoy good food, and exploring new cuisines and, while I can afford to do so, I will. Frankly, one can live extremely cheaply and healthily as a veg*n where I am but I just can't resist exotic temptations right now and frankly, why should I? I deserve them!

[chula]

My typical spending is around $400/month for people food. That doesn't include dog food. Their food is around $150 every 4 - 6 weeks. We don't eat much fast food but when we do go out we go to nicer places. That is not included in the $400.

I go to Costco about once a month and stock up on nuts and other staples. I go to the farmer's market weekly. I go to the HFS about every other week. I have a Rainbow Grocery Outlet store that I try to go to weekly. They have an amazing amount of organic products. It is all overstock merchandise so I suppose it doesn't sell well in regular grocery stores. Or maybe it's overpriced there. Anyway, I bought the Fruit Bu (sp?) that was advertised on the page here at VB for 99 cents a package. They are close to $4 at the HFS. I can get tofu super cheap there and Amy's, Linda McCartney, and other veg frozen foods for less than half of the grocery store price. Juice and soymilk are inexpensive too.

[GanyGreenBean]

For 3 people about 150 bucks a month. We make our own bread and eat alot of rice and frozen veggies. Also dried beans and lentils go a long way. We eat at work alot though. Potatoes are awesome.

[Poppy]

I spend a hell load of food, no idea how much, but I like it that way.

Me too. I'm not proud of it, but if it's in the grocery store and I want it, usually I buy it. I spent $9.99 on a zinfindel vinegar yesterday - and it was well worth it. I'm not buying meat, dairy or eggs, so I must believe I can have whatever else remains!

Also, my husband travels quite a bit and the son is in college. So my spending is really only for myself, my daughter (who eats cheap food!) and my "occasional" husband.

[JenasaurusX]

I'm not very thrifty when it comes to grocery shopping either. I've not been eating vegan-style very long so I'm still very excited about trying new recipes and products. It's starting to level out now that I have a better idea of our favorite meals, though. For two and a half people (employee who eats one meal a day plus snacks with us) I spend about $200 a month at vegetarian market, about $30 at the farmers market, and about $150 at a regular grocery store, mostly on organic produce and other staples (our Ralphs is very vegan-friendly and has a lot of organic stuff, both fresh and packaged). We don't blow through all that in one month, though. My pantry stays pretty full. We spend another $100 or so eating at restaurants. My cat eats about $30 worth of food a month, too!

[SilverGirl]

My grocery budget is $120 (US) per month, and I'm usually able to stick to it. That's just for food, though--doesn't include household supplies, pet food, etc.

[Treehugger267]

I spend roughly $600 per month at the grocery store, probably a tad more for a family of 4 and 1 dog. This includes non food items too though.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

It's been shown that people who have "no idea" usually estimate WAY WAY off... I'd just be interested in how much those totals would be for people if they actually (carefully) kept track (not you guys here so much, but the people I talk to in real life mainly...).

I spend less than $400 a month, for going out to eat, buying groceries for 4, pet food for 4 and misc. like toilet paper, etc...

$100 a week basically. Usually less, because if emergencies come up, that's the only place in my budget that can "give".

We shop at Costco, Rainbow Grocery Outlet, a bulk foods place and the Asian Market.
Whole Foods, HFS, Trader Joes, or mainstream grocery stores almost never - only once every 3-4 months... as a SPECIAL treat. We buy very few packaged or convenience foods (unless you call bread a "convenience food" - some people do) and seldom go out.

I think I do really well - feeding myself and three kids on that. I cannot imagine how anyone does it for less and still provides all the necessary foods/fruits/veggies needed for a healthy diet.

[CatLadyVT]

I want to go to this Rainbow Grocery Outlet I'm hearing about. I'm bummed that there isn't one around here.